NZQF NQ Ref
Version
1260
Page 1 of 7
5
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Power Technician) (Level 5)
with an optional strand in Generation and Sustainable Energy
Level
5
Credits
158
This qualification has been reviewed. The last date to meet the requirements is 31
December 2019.
Transition Arrangements
This qualification has been reviewed and replaced by the New Zealand Certificate in
Electricity Supply (Power Technician) (Level 5) with optional strands in Communications,
Generation, Metering, and Transmission and Distribution [Ref: 3535].
The last date for entry into programmes leading to this qualification is 31 December 2017.
People may either complete the qualification requirements by 31 December 2019 or
transfer to a programme leading to the replacement qualification.
For detailed information see Review Summaries on the NZQA website.
NQF Registration Information
Process
Registration
Revision
Review
Revision
Review
Version
1
2
3
4
5
Date
October 2006
April 2007
February 2011
August 2013
November 2016
Last Date for Assessment
December 2008
December 2013
December 2019
December 2019
December 2019
Standard Setting Body
Infrastructure ITO (Connexis)
PO Box 2759
Wellington 6140
Telephone
Facsimile
Email
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
04 499 9144
04 499 9145
[email protected]
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQF NQ Ref
Version
1260
5
Page 2 of 7
National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Power Technician) (Level 5)
with an optional strand in Generation and Sustainable Energy
Level
5
Credits
158
Purpose
This National Certificate is awarded to people who have demonstrated competence in the
skills and knowledge required for employment as power technicians in the electricity supply
industry.
It caters for trainees within this industry whose primary role is carrying out acceptance,
installation, commissioning, and maintenance testing of primary and secondary equipment
installed on an electricity supply system. The qualification comprises only compulsory
standards as all of the knowledge and skills required for power technicians is essential to
competent performance of the role.
The compulsory section recognises competence in working with the following equipment and
systems: battery banks and charge systems, multiple input protection systems, power and
instrument transformers, high voltage power cables, and ancillary service (AC and DC)
and uninterrupted power supply supplies, high voltage circuit breakers, single input
protection relays, and test instruments.
In addition, the optional strand in Generation and Sustainable Energy recognises skills and
knowledge required to:
 describe and apply electricity power generation technology
 maintain and modify distributed control systems to control electricity supply plant
operations
 utilise a Distributed Control System (DCS) in the operation of an electricity generation
power station.
This qualification builds on the knowledge and skills recognised by the National Certificate
in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 3) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician,
Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1294] and the National Certificate in
Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician,
Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1295]. It can lead to the New Zealand
Diploma in Engineering [Ref: 112950], developed by the New Zealand Board for
Engineering Diplomas.
Special Notes
Prerequisite: the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) with strands
in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1295] or
demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQF NQ Ref
Version
1260
Page 3 of 7
5
Credit Range
Compulsory
Level 3 credits
Level 4 credits
Level 5 or above credits
Minimum totals
Total with strand
20
77
61
158
Generation and
Sustainable Energy
optional strand
36
36
194
Requirements for Award of Qualification
Award of NZQF National Qualifications
Credit gained for a standard may be used only once to meet the requirements of this qualification.
Unit standards and achievement standards that are equivalent in outcome are mutually exclusive for the
purpose of award. The table of mutually exclusive standards is provided on the New Zealand Qualifications
Authority (NZQA) website: http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/standards/standards-exclusionlist/.
Reviewed standards that continue to recognise the same overall outcome are registered as new versions
and retain their identification number (ID). Any version of a standard with the same ID may be used to meet
qualification requirements that list the ID and/or that specify the past or current classification of the standard.
Summary of Requirements

Compulsory standards
The following strand is optional

Generation and Sustainable Energy Optional Strand
Detailed Requirements
Compulsory
The following standards are required
Engineering and Technology > Electrical Engineering > Core Electrical
ID
Title
Level
22722
22723
22724
Demonstrate and apply introductory knowledge of
electrical circuit engineering principles
Demonstrate and apply intermediate knowledge of the
elements of power engineering
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of electrical
machines
4
15
5
15
5
15
Engineering and Technology > Electrical Engineering > Electrotechnology
ID
Title
Level
16992
Describe and apply knowledge of electrotechnology
fault-diagnosis procedures
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
Credit
4
Credit
5
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQF NQ Ref
1260
Version
Page 4 of 7
5
ID
Title
Level
Credit
22734
Demonstrate and apply introductory knowledge of
electrotechnology engineering mathematics
4
15
Engineering and Technology > Electricity Supply > Electricity Supply - Power System
Maintenance
ID
Title
Level
Credit
26019
26020
Demonstrate knowledge of introductory concepts in
power system protection
Demonstrate knowledge of intermediate concepts in
power system protection
4
10
5
10
Engineering and Technology > Electricity Supply > Electricity Supply - Testing
ID
Title
Level
14271
14272
14273
14274
14276
14285
14287
14288
14297
Carry out acceptance, commissioning and maintenance
tests on power transformers
Carry out maintenance and/or acceptance tests on high
voltage circuit breakers
Carry out maintenance and commissioning tests on
instrument transformers
Carry out electrical tests on high voltage bus connected
equipment
Carry out maintenance and/or commissioning tests on
high voltage power cables and terminations
Carry out tests on uninterrupted power supply supplies
4
6
4
6
4
5
3
4
3
4
3
4
Use and maintain test instruments used within the high
voltage electrical industry
Carry out tests on battery banks and charge systems
3
4
3
4
Carry out commissioning and maintenance tests on
single and multiple input protection systems
5
6
Engineering and Technology > Electronic Engineering > Core Electronics
ID
Title
Level
22726
22727
Credit
Demonstrate and apply introductory knowledge of
electronic engineering
Demonstrate and apply intermediate knowledge of
programmable logic controller engineering applications
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
Credit
4
15
5
15
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQF NQ Ref
1260
Version
Page 5 of 7
5
Generation and Sustainable Energy Optional Strand
The following standards are required
Engineering and Technology > Electricity Supply > Electricity Supply - Power System
Management
ID
Title
Level
Credit
11577
19326
23409
Describe and apply electricity power generation,
renewable and sustainable energy, and conservation
technologies
Maintain and modify distributed control systems to
control electricity supply plant operations
Utilise a Distributed Control System (DCS) in the
operation of an electricity generation power station
6
15
5
15
5
6
Transition Arrangements
Version 4
This qualification was revised and issued as version 4 to remove expiring unit standard
14280 and include reverse transition for versions 2 and 3.
Changes to structure and content
 Overall credits reduced from 162 to 158.
 Expiring standard 14280 was removed.
For detailed information see Review Summaries on the NZQA website.
All existing candidates may either complete the version of the qualification on which they
are enrolled or transfer their existing achievements to version 4. All new trainees will be
enrolled in programmes leading to version 4 of the qualification.
This version of the qualification contains standards that have replaced or been substituted
for an earlier standard. For the purposes of this qualification, people who have gained
credit for the expiring standard are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the
substitute or replacement standard – see table below.
Credit for
Exempt from
11564
22724
11565
22723
11579
22727
14280
14297
21230
26020
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQF NQ Ref
1260
Version
Page 6 of 7
5
Reverse transition
Version 2 of this qualification contains standards that have been substituted for or replaced
earlier standards. For the purposes of this qualification, people who have gained credit for
the replacement standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the expiring
standards – see table below.
Credit for
Exempt from
26019
19481
26020
21230
It is not intended that anyone is disadvantaged by this revision and the above
arrangements have been designed for a smooth transition. Anyone who feels they have
been disadvantaged may appeal to ESITO at the address below.
Previous versions of the qualification
Version 3 was issued following a review to allow a better progression to the New Zealand
Diploma in Engineering [Ref: 112950], and recognise recent changes to the role of the
Power Technician within the Electricity Supply industry. An optional strand was added to
recognise the distinct skill set required of power technicians working within the generation
and sustainable energy sector. Changes to structure and content included total credits
increasing and the structure of the qualification changing from a compulsory set and an
elective set to a compulsory set with an optional strand.
Version 2 was issued following the ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
(ETITO) review of Core Electronics standards, which resulted in the replacement of
standard 11579 with standard 22729. However, the Electricity Supply Industry Training
Organisation deemed standard 22727 a more appropriate replacement standard in relation
to the ability of the candidate undertaking the qualification, and the qualification was
revised accordingly.
Other standard setting bodies whose standards are included in the
qualification
ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
Certification
This certificate will display the logos of NZQA, the Electricity Supply Industry Training
Organisation and the organisation that has been granted consent to assess against
standards that meet the requirements of the qualification (accredited).
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQF NQ Ref
1260
Version
Page 7 of 7
5
Classification
This qualification is classified according to the classification system listed on the Directory
of Assessment Standards (DAS) and the New Zealand Standard Classification of
Education (NZSCED) system as specified below.
DAS Classification
NZSCED
Code
Description
Code
Description
318
Engineering and Technology >
Electricity Supply
031313
Engineering and Related
Technologies > Electrical and
Electronic Engineering and
Technology > Electrical Fitting,
Electrical Mechanics
Quality Management Systems
Providers and Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess by a recognised Quality
Assurance Body before they can register credits from assessment against standards. Organisation with
consent to assess and Industry Training Organisations assessing against standards must engage with the
moderation system that applies to those standards. Consent to assess requirements and the moderation
system are outlined in the associated Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) for each standard.
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016